Renewable Energy for Schools: Bring STEM Learning to Life with the Power Mixer
What if pupils could see renewable energy being generated in their own school grounds—and then use that electricity to power everyday equipment?
The Power Mixer is a working, off-grid renewable energy system developed specifically for schools. Combining wind and solar power with battery storage, live visual displays and usable electrical outputs, it transforms renewable energy from something pupils read about into something they can see, measure, investigate and use.
It provides schools with a highly visible STEM learning resource while demonstrating a practical commitment to sustainability.
What is the Power Mixer?
The Power Mixer is a self-contained renewable energy station that collects electricity from two natural sources:
- A 100W wind turbine
- A 100W solar panel
The electricity generated is fed into the Power Mixer control board and stored in a battery. Schools can then use the stored energy to charge or operate suitable equipment, including laptops, tablets, mobile phones and compatible 12V devices.
However, the Power Mixer does much more than simply generate electricity. Its visual display helps pupils understand where energy is coming from, how much is being produced, how much has been stored and where it is being used.
Instead of renewable energy remaining an abstract classroom topic, pupils can watch the complete process taking place in front of them—from the sky to the socket.
A hands-on renewable energy resource for STEM learning
STEM learning is most effective when pupils can investigate genuine questions and work with real information.
The Power Mixer gives schools an ongoing source of practical data that can be used across science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Pupils can observe changes, make predictions, collect measurements, compare results and discuss the factors affecting renewable energy production.
They might investigate questions such as:
- Does the solar panel still generate electricity on a cloudy day?
- At what time of day does solar generation reach its highest level?
- How does wind speed affect the electricity produced by the turbine?
- Which renewable energy source has generated the most power today?
- How much energy has the system produced over a week or a month?
- How quickly is stored energy being used?
- How much carbon dioxide could be avoided by generating electricity sustainably?
These are not hypothetical calculations based on figures printed in a textbook. They are investigations using data generated within the school’s own grounds.
Five displays that make energy visible
At the heart of the Power Mixer is a clear digital display presenting information about the system’s performance.
The five display screens allow pupils to explore different aspects of renewable energy generation and use.
Battery level
The battery display shows how much stored energy is currently available. Pupils can see energy entering the battery from the wind turbine and solar panel, as well as electricity leaving the system when equipment is being powered.
This provides a simple visual introduction to energy storage and the challenge of balancing supply with demand.
Live power generation
The live power display shows how much electricity the wind turbine and solar panel are producing at that moment.
Pupils can immediately see the effect of a cloud passing over the solar panel or a change in wind conditions. This creates opportunities for real-time observation, comparison and discussion.
Cumulative energy generation
The generation display records how much energy has been produced by each renewable source over time.
Schools can compare the contribution made by wind and solar power and investigate how weather conditions, seasons and daylight hours affect the results.
Daily trends
The trend display helps pupils see how energy generation has changed during the day.
The information can be used to identify patterns, interpret graphs and compare conditions on different days—providing valuable opportunities for mathematical reasoning and data analysis.
Energy output
The output display shows the electricity being supplied by the system and how much energy has been used.
This helps pupils understand that producing electricity is only one part of the story. How we use and conserve energy is equally important.
Renewable energy data that can be used in the classroom
Information from the Power Mixer can also be viewed through its web-based platform, allowing teachers and pupils to explore the system’s performance away from the outdoor control board.
The online displays provide information including:
- Live energy generation
- Energy flow through the system
- Today’s performance
- Generation trends
- Total energy generated
- Equivalent examples of how the energy could be used
- Estimated carbon dioxide savings
- Overall system performance
This allows live information from the school grounds to become part of classroom lessons, group investigations, assemblies, eco-club activities and longer-term projects.
Pupils can record the data in spreadsheets, produce charts and graphs, calculate averages, compare different periods and present their findings to the rest of the school.
How can schools use the Power Mixer across the curriculum?
Although the Power Mixer is an obvious STEM resource, its educational value extends beyond science and technology.
Science
Pupils can explore renewable and non-renewable energy, electricity, circuits, forces, weather, light and environmental change.
Mathematics
Live and historical data can be used for measurement, estimation, percentages, averages, graph work, comparisons and interpreting statistics.
Computing
Pupils can collect, organise and present data digitally. They can also consider how sensors, monitoring systems and digital interfaces communicate information.
Design and technology
The system can introduce discussions about product design, energy systems, engineering challenges, battery storage and designing technology for a more sustainable future.
Geography
Schools can connect the Power Mixer to learning about weather, climate, natural resources, sustainability and the environmental consequences of energy production.
English
Pupils could produce reports, explanatory texts, persuasive environmental campaigns or presentations based on the school’s renewable energy results.
The system can also support Eco-Schools activities, sustainability projects and pupil-led environmental initiatives.
From passive learning to active investigation
Children frequently encounter renewable energy through diagrams, videos and worksheets. These are useful, but they cannot fully reproduce the experience of watching a real system respond to changing conditions.
With the Power Mixer, pupils can make a prediction and then test it.
They can watch the output from the solar panel change as the weather changes. They can compare a still day with a windy one. They can examine how much electricity has accumulated and consider whether sufficient energy is available for a particular task.
This encourages curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving—qualities at the centre of effective STEM education.
It also helps pupils understand an important reality: renewable energy is variable. The sun does not always shine and the wind does not always blow, which is why energy storage, careful monitoring and responsible consumption all matter.
A visible commitment to school sustainability
The Power Mixer is not simply something that is brought out for a particular lesson and then returned to a cupboard. It becomes a permanent, highly visible feature within the school grounds.
This gives schools an opportunity to demonstrate their environmental values to pupils, parents, staff, visitors and the wider community.
It can be installed as an individual STEM resource or incorporated into a broader outdoor learning development. It works particularly well alongside an outdoor classroom, Eco Hub, science area, growing garden or sustainability zone.
At Hideout House, we can help schools consider the most appropriate location and how the system could form part of a wider outdoor learning environment.
Powering useful equipment
The renewable electricity generated by the system is not merely represented on a screen. It is stored and made available through usable electrical outputs.
Depending on the equipment and available stored energy, it can be used to charge or operate items such as:
- Laptops and tablets
- Mobile phones
- Compatible 12V equipment
- Equipment used for suitable outdoor learning activities
This gives pupils a tangible connection between energy generation and energy consumption. When they plug in a device, they can see energy leaving the battery and understand that electricity is a resource rather than something that simply appears when a switch is pressed.
Who is the Power Mixer suitable for?
The Power Mixer is particularly suitable for primary schools, secondary schools, special schools and other educational settings looking to develop:
- Practical STEM learning
- Outdoor science provision
- Renewable energy education
- Eco-Schools projects
- Sustainability initiatives
- Pupil-led environmental monitoring
- Cross-curricular data investigations
Activities can be adapted for different ages and abilities, from simple observation and discussion to more detailed scientific and mathematical analysis.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Power Mixer work when it is cloudy?
Yes. Solar panels can continue generating electricity in daylight when conditions are overcast, although the amount generated will usually be lower than in strong sunlight. This variation provides useful data for pupils to investigate.
What happens when there is no wind or sunlight?
Previously generated electricity is stored in the system’s battery. The display allows pupils to see the level of stored energy and understand why battery storage is important when using variable renewable sources.
Can pupils see how much energy is being produced?
Yes. The Power Mixer displays live and cumulative information about the electricity being generated by the wind turbine and solar panel, as well as stored energy and power being used.
Can the information be viewed indoors?
Yes. The system includes a web-based platform through which teachers and pupils can explore live and historical energy information in the classroom.
Can it support the school curriculum?
The Power Mixer can support learning in science, mathematics, computing, design and technology, geography and environmental education. It is especially valuable for practical STEM projects involving measurement, prediction and data analysis.
Can it be combined with an outdoor classroom?
Yes. The Power Mixer can be incorporated into a new outdoor classroom or Eco Hub development, or considered as part of improvements to an existing outdoor learning area.
Discover the Sound Mixer
The Power Mixer brings renewable energy and STEM learning outdoors. Its companion system, the Sound Mixer, allows schools to use music, spoken audio and sound for performances, creative learning, play and calming activities. Discover how the Sound Mixer can transform an outdoor classroom or sensory environment.
Bring renewable energy learning to life
The transition to renewable energy will play an increasingly important part in the lives and careers of today’s pupils.
The Power Mixer helps schools introduce that future in an engaging and understandable way. It allows children to see renewable electricity being generated, follow it into storage, analyse the resulting data and use the energy for a practical purpose.
It is renewable energy that pupils can see, question, measure and understand.
The Power Mixer has been developed by Electric Pedals in partnership with The Hideout House Company for use within school environments.
To discuss the Power Mixer, an Eco Hub or a wider outdoor STEM learning project for your school, contact The Hideout House Company.
